Film critic and author David Stratton seated on a sofa looking directly at the camera.

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Deep Dive: David Stratton – My Favourite Movies

David Stratton in conversation with Alex Sloan

Travis Green

In February 2022, the NFSA was proud to host acclaimed author and film critic David Stratton in conversation with Alex Sloan. During the conversation they discussed David's book My Favourite Movies (2021) and he shared insights about the leading directors and actors he has met during his 50 years of reviewing films:

Alex Sloan in conversation with David Stratton at the NFSA in 2022.

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David Stratton

David was introduced to film at a young age by his movie-loving grandmother with whom he lived with in England at the beginning of the Second World War.

After migrating to Australia in 1963 David became involved in the local film movement, eventually becoming the Director of the Sydney Film Festival from 1966 to 1983.

During his tenure at the Sydney Film Festival David programmed a selection of Soviet films which prompted the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) to place him under surveillance.

In 1980 David started working at SBS as a film consultant before becoming the co-host of The Movie Show in 1986 with Margaret Pomeranz.

Both David and Margaret left the SBS in 2004 to co-host the ABC's movie review show At The Movies which aired for 10 years.

David is a highly regarded expert on international cinema and has served as the president of international film critics juries for both the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals, as well as serving as a jury member for the Berlin International Film Festival.

In 2001 David was appointed the Croix de Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (The Order of Arts and Letters) by the French Government for his services to cinema, as well as the Centenary Medal from the Australian Government for services to Australian society and Australian film production. He was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015 for his services to the film industry as a critic, promoter and ambassador for Australian cinema.